When Ethan answered the phone and recognized the caring voice, his composure crumbled slightly.
"Aunt Arlo..." His voice was barely a whisper, thick with unreleased emotion.
"Ho! It's been so long, my son, hearing your voice!" Arlo's voice was warm, instantly easing some of Ethan's tension. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. You just saw me at the hospital already." Ethan said, a sharp wave of tears stinging his eyes. "Tell me how you are."
"I'm also fine. After all these years, I thought I wouldn't meet you again. But now is the time." Arlo's tone became serious. "Tell me when you're free. I'll ask Lucas for a bit of leave."
"Aunt, if you're free now, let me meet you at the hospital's car park. We can talk there."
"Okay. I'll ask Lucas first, then call you." They ended the call.
Lucas was already rushing out the door. "Excuse me, Sir?" Arlo asked.
"Yes. Actually, you don't need to come with me today. I have some personal errands."Lucas said.
Arlo's mind raced. Perfect time to meet Ethan. She wondered, What 'personal errands'?
"Ah, ahh, it's okay," Arlo lied smoothly. "I'll stay here. I have files to handle. You can go."
Lucas nodded and sped off in his car.
It was already the middle of the working day. Ethan, in his white lab coat, waited anxiously in the hospital car park. A taxi pulled up, and Arlo stepped out.
Ethan rushed forward. They embraced tightly, Ethan immediately burying his face against her shoulder, tears finally falling. Arlo rubbed his back, soothing him and using her hand to gently wipe his tears away.
"Haa, it's been years," Ethan teased, pulling back to fix his face. "You look just as beautiful."
"But why are you so skinny? How is Eli?" Arlo asked, worried.
"Eli is fine. He grows so fast! He's too mischievous and always energetic."
"Just like his mother," Arlo murmured, her face dulling as she thought of Clara.
"Yeah." Ethan's expression mirrored hers.
"Ethan, when my brother gave you to me—a tiny baby in my arms—I knew then how strong you were," Arlo said, her voice strained. "Now you're strong enough to take on the whole world, but sadly, I can't do anything help."
"No, no, Aunt. You did everything. Whatever you did was the best thing, or Eli and I wouldn't be safe at all." Ethan suddenly looked serious. "By the way, why the urgency? Is there something else?"
Arlo took a deep breath. "Yes. What I'm about to say, I know you won't like. Ethan... please, stop loving Lucas again."
Ethan simply stared, speechless.
"I know this isn't easy, but you have to do this," Arlo insisted. "For your life, and for Eli. If Lucas's mother finds out you're here..." Arlo stopped abruptly, fear clouding her eyes.
"Did Lucas tell his mom I'm here?" Ethan demanded.
"No, no! He would never. He knows his mother will try to stop his pursuit of you, so he's keeping it a secret. Poor him."
"Then I guess I have to tell Lucas the truth about everything, Aunty. He'll definitely help us!" Ethan pleaded.
"Haa, what will you tell him? Will he believe you?" Arlo grabbed his hands. "He thinks you cheated on him. Even if he knows deep down you didn't.
"So what can we do?" Ethan asked desperately.
"Listen to me. If Lucas's mother finds out you're living here—and I will tell you before they find you—you have only one chance: You have to go abroad. That's it."
"But what if they find out you're my family? They'll harm you!" Ethan cried.
"You don't worry about me. Your only worry is you and Eli. Got it?" Arlo handed him a shopping bag. "Take this. It's for Eli. Keep smiling, and don't worry yourself."
They hugged once more before Arlo departed.
Meanwhile, Lucas was giving the driver firm instructions. "Yes! Stop here!"
He exited the car directly in front of a primary school. Ah, as I know, Ethan is definitely at the hospital at this time. Which means Eli is here.
He marched straight into the principal's office and requested a meeting with Eli.
"Sir, may I ask one thing? What is the relationship between you and Eli?" the Principal asked cautiously.
"Haa, I'm his dad!" Lucas said.
"Dad?" The Principal was shocked. "He already has a dad!"
Lucas quickly pulled out his company card, showing his CEO title. "I don't have to explain my personal life, but yes, Dr. Ethan and I had a relationship five years ago. Due to unfortunate reasons, we broke up. But now that I know Eli is his son, he is definitely my son, too."
"Hoo, amazing, Sir. I'll try to help you meet your son." The Principal quickly sent someone to call the kindergarten student.
Eli was brought in, looking confused.
"Ah, Eli, this is your—" the Principal began.
"It's okay. Can I take him?" Lucas interrupted.
"Of course, Sir."
Lucas led Eli to a small garden area. He suddenly realized he had no idea how to talk to a five-year-old. "Hii?" Lucas offered.
Eli gave him no expression.
Why is this so hard? Lucas thought, pulling chocolates out of his jacket pocket.
"No! Papa said don't eat anything if a stranger gives it to you!" Eli declared firmly. "And why did you tell the Principal you're my dad? I don't even know who you are."
"Ohhh, a very obedient son," Lucas praised. "But you already know me, right?"
"When?" Eli asked, tilting his head.
"That day at the shopping center."
"Ohhh! You're the one who hugged my Papa!"
"Aww, someone is jealous," Lucas teased. "Do you know why I hugged your Papa?"
"Why?" Eli asked, leaning in cutely.
"Because he's mine!"
"No! My Papa is mine only!" Eli retorted fiercely.
"No, my love, my Ethan," Lucas mimicked Eli's tone.
Eli stared hard at him. Suddenly, Lucas got an idea—a way to guarantee daily access.
"Hey, if I prove to you that he's mine, will you agree to accept me as your dad?" Lucas challenged.
"Awwww, are you afraid of losing the challenge?" Lucas taunted.
"No!" Eli's eyes flashed. "Okay! If you prove you own my Papa, then I'm gonna accept you as my dad! Challenge!"
"Challenge," Lucas repeated, a triumphant, dangerous smile spreading across his face.
Meanwhile, across town, Ethan, Satraus, and Cury were using their downtime to investigate the drug corruption. They wore plain clothes and entered a city medical supply store.
"Ahhh, actually, we're here to check your information. We need to know if your medicines are legal or illegal," Cury asked the shop owner, keeping her voice official.
Ethan and Satraus stood murmuring discreetly. "If we can find at least one shop doing corrupt supply," Ethan whispered, "then we can trace where they're getting the drugs. Then we can determine if they're linked to the corrupt supply in our hospital's business."
Just as they were engaged, a luxury car screeched to a halt outside. Inside, Lucas saw Ethan!
"Driver! Stop the car!"
He threw open the door. "Sir, should I come with you?" the driver asked.
"No. You can go now. I'll call you when I need you," Lucas said.
"But Sir, you don't even have a single bodyguard!"
"It's okay. I can manage." Lucas ran toward the shop.
As the three doctors were deeply engaged in questioning the owner, a familiar voice, one that always annoyed Ethan, called out: